Dr. Mark L. Smith, Director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for the Continuum Cancer Centers of New York and the Friedman Center for Lymphedema Research and Treatment, explains why breast cancer patients are at risk for lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling.

Mark L. Smith, MD, FACS

Director

Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer involves microsurgical transfer of lymph nodes from one part of your body to the limb with lymphedema. This has been successfully used to reverse swelling and reduce or eliminate infections resulting from lymphedema.

Dr. Smith developed the technique of Reverse Lymphatic Mapping for use in vascularized lymph node transfer with his colleague Dr. Dayan. This technique optimizes the safety and precision of lymph node harvest.

Near infra-red lymphangiography provides real-time video of your lymphatic system in our office. Patients and therapists can view high-definition images of fluid flowing through lymphatic vessels and assess the effect of manual lymphatic drainage on the swollen limb.

Dr. Smith and his colleague Dr. Dayan recently held a comprehensive symposium on vascularized lymph node transfer in partnership with the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN). Patients who have had lymph node transfer share their experience, a live demonstration of lymphatic imaging using indocyanine green lymphangiography is performed, and the latest updates on lymph node transfer are discussed. View the symposium anytime at: